Spaceflight Insider

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the Michibiki-4 satellite aboard an H-IIA rocket at 7:01 a.m. Japan Standard Time on Oct. 10 (6:01 p.m. EDT / 22:01 GMT Oct. 9), 2017, from the Tanegashima Space Center. The satellite is the fourth in the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), which is a satellite-based positioning system similar to the U.S. operated GPS.

In a brief media statement, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that it has canceled today's planned launch of an H-IIA rocket, which is carrying a navigation satellite that is designed to augment the Global Positioning System (GPS) for the Japanese region.

The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is in final preparations to launch the third of the country's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) series atop an H-IIA rocket. The satellite, also called Michibiki-3, will augment Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation services in the island nation.

TANEGASHIMA SPACE CENTER, Japan — A Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) H-IIA rocket launched the second of four navigation satellites. The satellite, Michibiki-2, is part of a system designed to provide global positioning system (GPS) services for the Japanese home islands.

Japan is set to launch its third H-IIA rocket in 2017. The two-stage vehicle, the workhorse for the Japanese space agency, will send to space Michibiki-2, the second satellite in the country’s regional navigation system.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has delayed the launch of its H-IIA rocket with the Information Gathering Satellite (IGS) Radar 5 reconnaissance satellite by one day due to weather. Liftoff is now targeted for 9:20 p.m. EDT March 16 (01:20 GMT March 17), 2017.

Preparations are underway at JAXA's Tanegashima Space Center for the launch of the IGS-RADAR-5 radar reconnaissance satellite. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIA rocket, in the 202 configuration, is set to launch within a 2-hour window opening at 9:00 p.m. EDT March 15 (01:00 GMT March 16), 2017.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully conducted its first launch of 2017 with the delivery of the DSN-2 military communications satellite to a geostationary transfer orbit. Carrying the payload was an H-IIA rocket configured in its 204 arrangement.

After waiting out rainy weather to roll their H-IIA rocket to the launch pad, JAXA launched their latest weather satellite, Himawari 9. The rocket lifted off from Tanegashima Space Center at 3:20 p.m. Japan Standard Time (2:20 a.m. EDT / 06:20 GMT), sending the spacecraft on its way to GEO.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is set to launch the second of two Himawari (“Sunflower”) weather satellites on Nov. 2 from Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC) – a delay from Nov. 1. Himawari 9 is a next-generation Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) satellite that will observe clouds, sea surface temperatures, volcanic ash, and other phenomena.

Japan is working on its newest launch vehicle, known as the H-3, which will be more powerful and cost-efficient than the H-2A booster currently in service. On July 20, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced it has completed the basic design of the rocket, scheduled to be ready for its maiden flight in 2020.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Tuesday, March 22, that its first Mars probe will be launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. A deal detailing this cooperation was signed by UAE’s Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) company.